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Patent 2345993 Summary

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 2345993
(54) English Title: IMPROVED INSTALLATION METHOD FOR CARPET UNDERLAYS
(54) French Title: PROCEDE PERFECTIONNE DE POSE DE THIBAUDE DE MOQUETTE
Status: Expired and beyond the Period of Reversal
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A47G 27/04 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • MURPHY, PETER MICHAEL (United States of America)
  • MATERNIAK, JOYCE MONSON (United States of America)
  • CATHEY, ANNE DOWDELL (United States of America)
  • DITTMAN, MISTY DAWN (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • INVISTA TECHNOLOGIES S.A.R.L.
(71) Applicants :
  • INVISTA TECHNOLOGIES S.A.R.L. (Switzerland)
(74) Agent: BENNETT JONES LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2006-07-04
(86) PCT Filing Date: 1999-11-12
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 2000-05-25
Examination requested: 2003-12-17
Availability of licence: N/A
Dedicated to the Public: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/US1999/026668
(87) International Publication Number: US1999026668
(85) National Entry: 2001-03-29

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
09/191,658 (United States of America) 1998-11-13

Abstracts

English Abstract


A process for installing a carpet underlay resistant or impermeable to water
comprising a) placing a padding over a flooring, and
optionally securing said padding into the flooring, b) placing a water
resistant or water impermeable underlay over said padding, and c)
mechanically securing the underlay through said padding into the flooring with
fasteners.


French Abstract

Ce procédé de pose d'une thibaude de moquette hydrofuge ou imperméable à l'eau comprend les étapes suivantes consistant : a) à placer une garniture sur un sol, et éventuellement à fixer cette garniture au sol, b) à placer une thibaude hydrofuge ou imperméable à l'eau sur la garniture, et c) à fixer mécaniquement dans le sol la thibaude, à travers la garniture, au moyen d'attaches.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A process for installing a carpet underlay resistant to water
comprising
a) placing a padding over a flooring, and optionally securing said
padding into the flooring,
b) placing an underlay over said padding, and
c) mechanically securing the underlay through said padding into the
flooring with fasteners,
wherein said underlay comprises a water resistant fabric or film,
whereby said resistance is measured by pouring 20 ml of water on a test
sample of carpet at a location over an underlay fastener from a height of 6
cm and results in no wet spot after 30 minutes, or a wet spot having a
diameter of a maximum of 2.54 cm on a paper towel placed between the
underlay and the padding directly beneath the location on which said water
has been poured.
2. A process for installing a carpet underlay impermeable to water
comprising
a) placing a padding over a flooring, and optionally securing said
padding into the flooring,
b) placing an underlay over said padding, and
c) mechanically securing the underlay through
said padding into the flooring with
fasteners,
wherein said underlay comprises a water impermeable fabric or film, whereby
said impermeability is measured by pouring 20 ml of water on a test sample of
underlay at a location over an underlay fastener from a height of 6 cm and
results
in no wet spot after 10 minutes, or a wet spot having a diameter of a maximum
of
2.54 cm on a paper towel placed between the underlay and the padding directly
beneath the location on which said water has been poured.
3. The process of Claim 1 or 2 further comprising installing a carpet
over said underlay.
4. The process of Claim 1 or 2 further comprising placing the
underlay in at least two segments in a manner to create an overlap at a seam
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between the segments, and mechanically securing the segments through the
padding and into the flooring with fasteners at the location of the overlap.
5. The process of Claim 1 or 2 wherein the fasteners are nails, nails
with washers, staples, taped-over staples, or taped-over nails.
6. The process of Claim 1 or 2 wherein the water resistant or water
impermeable underlay fabric comprises 1) a woven fabric, 2) a knitted fabric,
3) a
paper or 4) a nonwoven fabric selected from the group consisting of spunbonded
webs, spunlaced webs, meltblown webs, resin bonded fabrics, random laid fiber
webs, tissue laminates, scrim laminates, dry laid webs, needlepunched fabrics,
and
mixtures or laminates thereof.
7. The process of Claim 4 wherein the underlay fabric comprises
fibers selected from the group consisting of cotton, wool, jute, polyolefin,
acrylic
polymers, cellulosic, nylon, polyester, and mixtures thereof.
8. The process of Claim 1 or 2 wherein the underlay fabric is treated
with a water repellent finish composition comprising fluorochemicals,
silicones,
wax emulsions, naturally occurring oils, alkylacrylate resins, or hydrophobic
alkylmethacrylate resins, or a mixture thereof.
9. The process of Claim 1 or 2 wherein the underlay fabric comprises
a spunlaced nonwoven treated with a water repellent finish composition
comprising a fluorochemical.
10. The process of Claim 1 or 2 wherein the underlay fabric comprises
a laminate of spunbound/melt blown/spunbound nonwoven fabrics treated with a
water repellent finish composition comprising a fluorochemical.
11. The process of Claim 1 or 2 wherein the underlay is a film selected
from the group consisting of acrylic, polyolefin, polyester, polyethylene-
vinyl
acetate, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate, fluoroplastic, polystyrene,
polyvinyl
chloride, nylon and laminates thereof.
12. A product of the process of Claim 1 or 2.
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Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CA 02345993 2001-03-29
WO 00/28865 PCT/US99/26668
TITLE
Improved Installation Method for Carpet Underlays
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
5 This invention relates to a process for installing carpet having water
resistant or impermeable underlays.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Water resistant and impermeable carpet underlays provide a way to clean
1 o spills on carpet more thoroughly by containing the spill above the
padding, thus
preventing the spill from wetting the padding and flooring underneath. The
resistant or impermeable barrier provides advantages since, if a spill is not
removed from under the carpet, the spill will allow the growth of mold,
mildew,
and bacteria. Such underlays may be treated with antibacterial and antifungal
15 agents. Not only may the padding and wood flooring deteriorate as a result,
but
such conditions are conducive to the formation of odors and allergens.
Spills on fitted or wall-to-wall carpeting are particularly insidious since
detection and prevention of the seepage into the padding following a spill is
typically impractical with large or fitted carpets. A spill on broadloom
carpeting
2 o , often puddles on the padding or flooring where it can not be removed by
cleaning.
This spill then accelerates the growth of mold, mildew and odors. By allowing
spills to be more thoroughly cleaned, a water resistant or impermeable backing
reduces the growth of mold and mildews which cause odors.
Murphy, in U.S. Patents 5,601,910 and 5,763,040, described processes to
25 treat a carpet underlay to make it substantially impermeable to spills. By
careful
selection of both the water repellent finish and adhesive, the water
impermeable
underlay was adhered to the underside of the carpet creating a barrier to
spills.
Underlays are usually attached to the underside of the carpet by an
adhesive applied to the upper side of the underlay. Alternatively the underlay
may
3 o be treated with adhesive on both sides to attach it to both the underside
of the
carpet and the padding. The adhesive prevents movement of the underlay as the
carpet is laid, and also prevents any movement due to traffic after the
installation
is complete. Such application methods have been highly effective, but there
are
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added costs associated with the adhesive, necessary release papers, and
installation.
The prior art also describes water impermeable carpeting constructed using
impermeable backings such as those based on polyvinyl chloride) and
5 polyurethane to replace the usual latex backing, and also sheets of plastic,
such as
polyethylene and poly(ethylene/vinyl acetate), that are laminated to the
carpet.
However, such backings are expensive, create manufacturing difficulties, and
prevent desirable breathability (air permeability) of the carpet.
It would be advantageous if a simpler method for laying the padding,
l0 underlay, and carpet were available which would reduce the costs associated
with
the adhesive, necessary release papers, and installation. The present
invention
provides such an improved process for installation of a water resistant or
water
impermeable underlay with padding and carpet..
15 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a process for installing a carpet underlay
resistant to water comprising
a) placing a padding over a flooring, and optionally securing said padding
into the flooring,
2 0 b) placing an underlay over said padding, and
c) mechanically securing the underlay through said padding into the
flooring with fasteners,
wherein said underlay comprises a water resistant fabric or film, whereby said
resistance is measured by pouring 20 ml of water on a test sample of carpet at
a
2 5 location over an underlay fastener from a height of b cm and results in no
wet spot
after 30 minutes, or a wet spot having a diameter of a maximum of 2.54 cm on a
paper towel placed between the underlay and the padding directly beneath the
location on which said water has been poured.
The present invention further comprises a process for installing a carpet
3 0 underlay impermeable to water comprising
a) placing a padding over a flooring, and optionally securing said
padding into the flooring,
b) placing an underlay over said padding, and
c) mechanically securing the underlay thraugh said padding into the
3 5 flooring with fasteners,
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wherein said underlay comprises a water impermeable fabric or film, whereby
said impermeability is measured by pouring 20 ml of water on a test sample of
underlay at a location over an underlay fastener from a height of 6 cm and
results
in no wet spot after 10 minutes, or a wet spot having a diameter of a maximum
of
5 2.54 cm on a paper towel placed between the underlay and the padding
directly
beneath the location on which said water has been poured.
The present invention further comprises the product of the above
processes.
10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The process of the present invention comprises stapling, nailing, or
otherwise mechanically attaching an underlay through padding to the flooring
using fasteners. Hereinafter, the terms "secure", "secured", "securing",
"securement" are used to describe aspects of the attachment of the underlay by
15 means of staples, nails, or other mechanical means of attachment.
Specifically
excluded is the use of adhesive or adhesive tape as a means of attachment of
the
underlay. By the term "flooring" is meant any surface to be carpeted.
In the present invention carpet padding is laid conventionally. The
underlay, without adhesive, is secured through the padding to the flooring,
and the
2 0 carpet is laid conventionally on the secured underlay. The present
invention
simplifies the installation of water resistant and water impermeable underlays
by
securing the underlay fabric to the padding and underneath flooring without
compromising the integrity of the water resistant or water impermeable
barrier,
even though securing, as used in the context of this invention, punches holes
in
2 5 the underlay.
The terms "water resistant" and "water resistance", as applied hereinafter
to underlays, mean that the underlay, under the conditions of Test Method 3
described hereinafter, prevents the penetration of water through the underlay
into
the underlying padding. It is understood that water resistant means resistant
to
3 0 water and aqueous solutions and suspensions, including coffee, wine, soda,
fruit
juices, urine, and the like. More specifically, the terms water resistant and
water
resistance mean that, under the conditions of Test Method 3, the wet spot
diameter
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WO 00/28865 PCT/US99/26668
on the paper towel after 30 minutes is one inch (2.54 cm) or less. Test Method
3
comprises testing carpet and secured underlay and padding.
The terms "water impermeable" and "water impermeability" as used
herein applied to underlays mean that the underlay, under the conditions of
Test
5 Method 4 described hereinafter, prevents the penetration of water through
the
underlay into the underlying padding. It is understood that water impermeable
means impermeable to water and aqueous solutions and suspensions, including
coffee, wine, soda, fruit juices, urine, and the like. More specifically, the
terms
water impermeable and water impermeability mean that, under the conditions of
10 Test Method 4, the wet spot diameter on the paper towel after 10 minutes is
one
inch (2.54 cm) or less. Test Method 4 comprises testing secured underlay and
padding without carpet. Test Method 4 is more stringent than Test Method 3
since, in Test Method 3, the tendency for water to penetrate is reduced as it
is at
least partially absorbed by the carpet.
15 The process of the present invention provides several advantages. It (i)
allows fabrics without adhesive to be used as water resistant or water
impermeable
underlays, (ii) simplifies the installation of the underlay, (iii) preserves
the
integrity of the water resistant or water impermeable barrier at seams between
adjacent sheets of the underlay, (iv) eliminates the need for release sheets
on the
2 o adhesive coated side or sides of the underlay, (v) eliminates the nuisance
of the
adhesive coated fabric sticking to itself, (vi) holds the underlay more firmly
to the
padding and underneath flooring, and (vii) allows the flexibility to install
the
underlay just in desired areas.
Carpeting requires a solid foundation to increase comfort and durability,
25 reduce noise, and provide insulation. Commercial padding is usually 1/4 in.
(0.6
cm) thick, residential padding typically has a maximum thickness of 7/16 in.
(1.1
cm).
Padding suitable for use in the practice of this invention is available in a
number of forms well known to those skilled in the trade, constructed of
various
3 0 forms of rubber and urethane, felted combinations of hair and jute, and
fiber. The
padding is laid and attached to the flooring conventionally, e.g., for wood
flooring
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CA 02345993 2001-03-29
WO 00/28865 PCT/US99/Z6668
with metal staples placed about every 8 in. (20 cm) along the perimeter to
prevent
the padding from moving, buckling, or tearing during or after installation.
Water resistant and water impermeable fabrics useful in the underlays used
in the practice of this invention require certain properties to insure that
they will
5 perform properly for the intended use. These properties include high tear
strength,
high abrasion resistance, high water resistance and water impermeability, high
hydrostatic head and high water repelLency, ease of installation (including
seaming), and good breathability. Such fabrics include woven fabrics, knitted
fabrics. felting, paper or nonwoven fabrics such as spunbonded webs, melt
blown
10 webs, resin bonded fabrics, random-laid short cut-length fiber webs, tissue
and
scrim laminates, spunlaced webs, dry Laid fiber webs, needlepunched fabrics,
cellulosic fabrics, or mixtures or Laminates thereof. For purposes of this
invention
paper is considered an underlay fabric. The underlay fabric comprises fibers
selected from cotton, wool, jute, polyolefin, acrylic polymers, cellulosic,
nylon,
15 polyester, and mixtures thereof. Short cut-length fiber is frequently
termed staple
fiber. Preferred underlay materials are nonwoven materials. Most preferred are
spunlaced nonwoven materials such as "SONTARA" available from E. I. du Pont
de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Delaware, and a laminate of
spunbonded/melt blown/spunbound nonwoven fabrics. Nonwoven materials also
2 0 have a lower cost of manufacture for a given coverage as compared to more
conventional textile fabrics made by weaving, knitting or felting.
Suitable commercially available impermeable films useful in the underlays
used in the practice of this invention include, but are not limited to, films
made
from synthetic polymers such as acrylics, polyester, polyolefin,
polycarbonates,
2 5 cellulose acetate, fluoroplastics, polystryene, polyvinyl chloride,
poly(ethylene/vinyl acetate), nylon and laminates thereof. These are available
from Dayton Plastics Incorporated, Dayton, Ohio or Laird Plastics Company,
Seattle. Washington.
Suitable water repellent finishes or treatments for use herein on the
3 0 underlay fabrics include polymers or other compounds with molecular weight
greater than 500 having pendent or terminal groups of perfluoroalkyl moieties.
Examples of some suitable fluorochemicals include: polymers and copolymers of
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CA 02345993 2001-03-29
WO 00/28865 PCT/US99/26668
vinyIidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroalkylethyl acrylates,
perfluoroalkylethyl methacrylates, mixtures of the same; blends of the
foregoing
polymers and copolymers with polymers and copolymers of alkyl acrylates and
alkylmethacrylates, copolymers of vinylidene chloride, vinylidene fluoride,
5 tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroalkylethyl acrylates and perfluoroalkylethyl
methacrylates. Other water repellent finishes suitable for use herein include
silicones, wax emulsions, naturally occurring oils, alkylacrylate resins, and
hydrophobic alkylmethacrylate resins. Mixtures of the preceding types of water
repellent finishes can also be used.
10 Other chemical additives are typically present in the repellent finish bath
and may include surfactants, sequestrants, pH adjusters, antimicrobials,
fragrances, viscosity modifiers, dyes, and other conventional bath additives.
Many commercially available fluorochemicals are used as water repellent
finishes in the practice of this invention. These include commercially
available
15 proprietary products sold under the tradenames of "TEFLON" and "ZONYL"
from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Delaware;
"MILEASE" from ICI, Wilmington, Delaware; "ASAHIGARD" from Asahi
Glass, Plymouth, Michigan; "SCOTCHGARD" from 3M, Minneapolis
Minnesota; "SOFTECH" from Dyetech, Dalton, Georgia; "TEX-TEL" from
2 0 Atochem, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; "UNIDYNE" from Diaken, Osaka, Japan;
and "NK GUARD" from Nicca, Fountain, South Carolina. Suitable commercially
available silicone-based repellents include, but are not limited to, C2-0563
from
Dow Corning, Midland, Michigan. Dow Corning C2-0563 is a silicone repellent
mixture of polydialkylsiloxanes. Suitable commercially available wax emulsions
25 include those sold under the trademark "NALAN" from E. I. du Pont de
Nemours
and Company, Wilmington, Delaware, and "OCTOWAX" 312 from Tiarco
Chemical Co, Dalton, Georgia. Suitable commercially available naturally
occurnng oils include coconut oil and corn oil from Columbus Foods, Chicago,
Illinois. Suitable hydrophobic acrylate resins include water repellent
polymers and
3 0 copolymers of acrylic acid esters and methacrylic acid esters such as the
methyl,
but preferably ethyl and butyl, esters. Mixtures of these polymers and
copolymers
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CA 02345993 2001-03-29
WO 00/28865 PCT/US99/26668
are also effective. One example of a commercially available resin is "Acrylic
Matte Medium" from Golden Artist Colors, Hamilton, New York.
Tradenames and trademarks are indicated herein by capitalization and
quote marks.
5 Preferred water repellent finishes are primarily fluorochemicals and
include the following aqueous dispersions: fluoroalkyl urethanes as disclosed
in
US 4,595,518 (water repellent finish #1 or WRF-1 in the Examples and tabulated
results below); blends of wax, a diethylaminoethyl methacrylate/hexadecyl
methacrylate/octadecyl methacrylate copolymer and a fluoroalkyl methacrylate
10 copolymer of the type disclosed in US 4,595,518 {WRF-2); aqueous
dispersions
of a hydrocarbon wax (WRF-3); blends of fluoroalkyl citrate-urethane and
polymethylmethacrylate as disclosed in US 3,923,715 (WRF-4); polyfluoro
organic compounds prepared by reacting a polyisocyanate with a fluoroalcohol
and water as disclosed in EP-A-453641 (WRF-5); fluoroalkyl polyacrylates as
15 disclosed in US 4,742,140 (WRF-6); fluoroalkyl polymethacrylates as
disclosed in
US 5,344,903 (WRF-7), and perfluoroalkyl methacrylate polymers of the type
disclosed in U.S. 5,674,961 {WRF-8).
The techniques for matching repellent finishes with the fabric composition
are well known in the art. Typically the repellent finish is diluted with
water or a
2 o suitable solvent such as alcohol for application to the underlay, with
water being
preferred. The necessary dilution is determined by the wet pick-up and the
required concentration of active ingredient in the dried and cured underlay.
The
wet pick-up is the amount of repellent finish in the wet underlay after
application
of the bath but before drying or curing. The wet pick-up is expressed as a
2 5 percentage based on the dry fiber. , For instance, a repellent finished
underlay is to
contain 1.5% of the active ingredient and the wet pick-up is 200%. In this
instance, the repellent finish as applied contains 100 x 1.5/200 or 0.75%
active
ingredient.
The amount of repellent finish, together with the necessary diluent such as
3 0 water or alcohol that is applied to the underlay, is measured as a
percentage of the
dry weight of the underlay and is termed "wet pickup". The wet pick-up applied
to
the underlay fabric is generally in the range of 20 to 500% by weight, and
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WO 00/28865 PCT/US99/26668
preferably SO to 200% by weight, based on the untreated or unfinished underlay
fabric. Typically, commercially available repellent finishes contain about 0.5
to
about 40% by weight total active ingredient. In the case of silicones, the
total
active ingredient may be greater than 40% by weight. In this invention, the
5 amount of active ingredient of repellent finish applied is generally in the
range of
about 0.01 to 10% by weight, and preferably 0.05 to 3% by weight, of the
active
ingredient in the repellent finish based on the underlay.
However, it is understood that the amount of repellent finish and active
ingredient applied is adjusted depending on the type and concentration of the
10 repellent, the underlay construction and weight, and the type of fiber or
fibers in
the underlay. In any application, it is important that a su~cient amount of
repellent finish be uniformly applied to the underlay such that the repellent
finished underlay is resistant and/or impermeable to water, according to Test
Methods 3 and 4.
15 The repellent finish is applied to the underlay by various means including
immersion (also termed "padding"), foam, spray, or dipping processes, followed
by a heat treatment to dry or cure the repellent finish, typically in an oven.
The
drying temperature, drying temperature profile, and drying time are selected,
based on the thermal stability of the fabric and the drying and curing
properties of
2 0 the repellent finish, to be sufficient to accomplish the necessary drying
and curing.
Control of such drying parameters are well known to those skilled in the art.
It is necessary to ensure that the repellent finish be completely and
uniformly applied to the underlay , and completely and uniformly dried and
cured.
Immersion, in which the underlay is dipped in a bath and the excess repellent
2 5 finish squeezed off, typically gives excellent and uniform application and
is thus
the preferred application method. Foam and spray applications, on the other
hand,
can allow starved or missed areas unless the foam or spray is very carefully
applied. Even very small undertreated areas will impair the repellency and
impermeability desired. To ensure foam and spray applications are complete, it
3 o may be necessary to apply the repellent finish with greater wet pick-up
than would
be necessary for immersion. However, when the spray or foam repellent finish
bath is diluted with extra water compared with the immersion process, extra
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CA 02345993 2001-03-29
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drying is required. For foam and spray applications, a wetting agent is often
added to the repellent finish to assist in the complete and uniform
application.
Suitable wetting agents are exemplified by "ALKANOL 6112" (poly(oxyethyiene
sorbitan monooleate in water/1-decanol, available from E. I. du Pont de
Nemours
5 & Company, Wilmington DE). Wetting agents were not necessary in the
preferred immersion application. After drying and curing, the carpet underlay
is
now repellent and/or impermeable to water or aqueous solutions and
suspensions.
For broadloom carpeting, the padding is first installed over flooring,
the underlay is installed over the padding, and the carpeting is installed
l0 over the underlay. In the practice of this invention, the water resistant
or water
impermeable underlay is laid over the padding, and secured through the padding
to the flooring using fasteners, securing along the edges and seams of the
underlay
at an appropriate spacing as described in the method for determining spacing
described below. Optional securing elsewhere over the surface of the underlay
is
15 added as deemed necessary. Suitable fasteners are staples, nails, taped-
over
staples, taped-over nails, and equivalent devices.
A method for establishing the staple or nailing pattern or interval versus
the overlap width of adjacent underlay sheets has been determined. The
following
stapling or nailing procedure provides impermeability at underlay seams and
tears.
2 0 For the installation of broadloom carpeting with padding and impermeable
underlay, the following sequence is preferred:
( 1 ) either the padding is placed over the flooring, or the padding is
generally secured over the flooring, e.g., using staples over a wood
flooring,
2 5 (2) the underlay is mechanically secured through the padding to the
underneath flooring using staples or nails, and
(3) the carpeting is installed over the underlay and secured at the edges of
the room with tackless strips.
Tackless strip is a thin strip of wood, about 2 in. (5.I cm) wide, that is
3 0 nailed to the flooring around the perimeter of the carpeted area. The
upper surface
of the tackless strip comprises angled small pins, of length about 1 /2 in. (
1.3 cm),
facing towards the wall or carpet perimeter and over which the carpet edge is
stretched.
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In many cases, the size of the room where the underlay is to be installed
will be larger than the width of a single roll or sheet of underlay. In order
to
provide a water repellent and/or water impermeable barrier across the entire
room,
two or more rolls or sheets of underlay will need to be installed side by
side. For
5 these installations, the water repellent and/or water impermeable barrier at
the
seam between adjacent rolls or sheets is critical to maintain the water
repellent
and/or water impermeable barrier of the overall carpet underlay. The underlay
is
placed over the padding in two or more segments in a manner to create an
overlap
at the seam between adjacent segments. The underlay is then mechanically
1 o secured through the padding into the flooring at the location of the
overlap. While
each underlay can have a slightly different stapling or nailing pattern at
their
seams depending on its elasticity, these general guidelines are applicable to
the
majority of underlays. 'hhe wider the underlay overlap at the seam, the
greater is
the acceptable distance between staples or nails without compromising the
water
15 repellency and/or water impermeability of the underlay at the seam. The
water
repellency and/or water impermeability of the underlay is compromised at the
seam if the top layer is able to separate and allow a gap between the staples
or
nails where the top layer of underlay can fold over and expose the underneath
padding.
2 0 The preferred method for testing the integrity of a seam between adjacent
layers of underlay is to pull or fold the upper layer of underlay away from
the
seam between adjacent staples or nails as far as the underlay will stretch or
fold
without tearing the underlay. If a large enough gap forms that the underneath
padding can be seen, then either the gap between adjacent staples needs to be
2 5 reduced or the width of the overlap between the top and bottom layer of
underlay
needs to be increased. Conversely, if only a small gap forms when the upper
layer
of underlay is pulled or folded away from the seam and this small gap is much
smaller than that required to expose the underneath padding, then either the
gap
between adjacent staples can be increased or the width of the overlap between
the
3 0 top and bottom layer of underlay can be reduced.
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For example, for Comparative Example A, the following Table 1 defines
the relationship between overlap width of the top and bottom layers of
underlay at
the seam and maximum staple distance which prevents separation at the seam.
5 Table 1. Staple Pattern for Comparative Example A
Maximum Staple
Fabric OverlapSeparation for
Seam
in. (cm) Integrity in. (cm)
1 ( 2.5) 4 (10.2)
2(5.1) 7(17.8)
3 ( 7.6) 15 (38.1)
4 ( 10.2) I 24 (61.0)
In the same way, even a small rip or tear or cut in the underlay can
compromise the water repellency and/or water impermeability of the carpet
underlay. These rips, cuts, and tears can be repaired by cutting a section of
10 underlay approximately at least 3 in. (8 cm) larger than the rip or cut or
tear in
every direction. This section of underlay is centered over the rip or cut or
tear and
secured through the padding to the underneath flooring using staples or nails
to
hold this section of underlay in place both during and after installation of
the
carpet and to prevent folding or pulling back of this section of underlay to
expose
15 the rip or cut or tear.
The process of this invention clearly punches holes through the underlay
and the securing positions create slight depressions in the underlay where
water
spills may pool at these perforations. However, the use of certain underlays
such
as fabrics in which the fibers have been surface-treated or finished with
2 0 fluorochemicals, silicones, and/or waxes, typically having a low surface
energy,
are found not to compromise the integrity of the water resistant and/or water
impermeable barrier. When the underlay is a film, the process of this
invention
does not compromise the water impermeability of the film.
When the invention is practiced using staples, conventional staples are
25 used, typically of 1/4 - 15/16 in. length (0.6 - 2.4 cm) as available from
such
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companies as Arrow Fasteners (Saddlebrook, New Jersey) or Hunt Manufacturing
Co. {Statesville, North Carolina). Staples are optionally sealed with tape
(taped-
over). Alternatively, nails, nails with washers or nails sealed with tape
(taped-
over) are suitable for use herein. Examples of the types of nails, washers and
5 tapes readily available at local hardware stores and appropriate for use in
the
present invention are shown in Table 2 below.
Table 2 -Securing Devices Usin~~ Nails with Washers or Taoe
Length Head
Nait Code (cm) Size (cm) Description
N1 2.3 1.0 small roofing nail
N2 I .7 0.5 carpet tack
N3 1.5 I .0 rounded head upholstery
tack
N4 1.3 0.3 medium tack
NS I.9 0.6 large tack/small nail
N6 2.5 1.1 small roofing nail
Outer Diameter
Washer Code Material (cm)
W I rubber 3.2
W2 rubber 1.9
W3 rubber 1.0
W4 metal over rubber1.4
WS metal I .0
W6 metal 1.6
W7 metal 2.3
10
Tape Code Material Description
TI Duct tape from Polyken Technologies, Mansfield,
Massachusetts
T2 Brown packaging tape from Manco Inc., Westlake,
Ohio
T3 Paper tape from Maco Address Label LL-3000,
Hillside, New Jersey
Any washers made from impermeable material such as plastic, rubber, or
metal are suitable for use herein. The washers are placed so as to be seated
around
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the nail shaft and directly under the head of the nail. Any type of water
impermeable tape is suitable for use herein. Adhesive tape is used to cover
the
staple or nail head, using a piece of tape not less than 1.5 in. square (3.8
cm
square).
5 Finally, the carpet is then installed conventionally over the secured water
resistant and/or water impermeable underlay, for instance using tackless strip
to
hold the carpet in place.
The product of this invention comprises a water resistant or water
impermeable underlay, secured through the padding to the flooring, and ready
for
10 carpeting to be laid over the underlay. The invention makes a separate
stapling of
the padding to the flooring optional. The underlay and padding are then ready
for
conventional installation of carpeting.
TEST METHODS
15 Test Method 1. Water Repellency (DuPont TEFLON Standard Test Method
No. 311.56)
The underlay specimen is held at a temperature of 21 ° C t 1
°C
(70°F ~ 2°F) and at a relative humidity of 65% ~ 2% for at least
four hours and is
then placed on a flat level surface. Three drops of the selected
water/isopropanol
2 o solution are placed on the fabric and left for 10 seconds. If no
penetration has
occurred, the fabric is judged to "pass" this level of repellency and the next
higher
numbered test solution is tested. The fabric rating is the highest numbered
test
solution that does not wet the fabric. A rating of 0 indicates no water
repellency, a
higher rating indicates better water repellency.
2 5 The water/isopropanol mixtures have the following compositions:
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Composition Wt.%
DuPont Water
Repellency
Rating Numberater sopropanol
1 98 2
2 95 5
3 90 lo.
4 80 20
5 70 30
6 60 40
7 50 50
8 ~ 40 60
9 ' 30 70
10 20 80
Test Method 2. Water Resistance: Hydrostatic Pressure Test.
This method is as described in the American Association of Textile
Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) Test Method No. 127 and determines the
5 pressure resistance of the fabric to penetration by a column of water.
Test Method 3. Water Resistance with Carpet.
The term "secured" as used in Test Methods 3 and 4 is defined above and
is used to describe the attachment of the underlay by means of staples, nails,
or
10 other mechanical means of attachment specifically excluding the use of
adhesive
or adhesive tape.
This method simulates the water resistance of an underlay at the point
where it is secured to the underneath flooring for a small water spill on the
carpet,
i.e., where most of the water spill is contained within the carpet pile and
latex).
15 On a 12 x 12 in. {30.5 x 30.5 cm) sample of wood or particle board having
a thickness of approximately 1/2 to 1 in. (1.3 to 2.5 cm), place a 12 x 12 in.
(30.5
x 30.5 cm) sample of foam padding. Over the padding, place a sheet of white
absorbent paper towel. Over the paper towel, place the underlay sample and
secure through the underlay, the paper towel, and the foam padding into the
wood.
2 o Center a 12 x 12 in. (30.5 x 30.5 cm) sample of carpeting with a water
permeable
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backing over the securement. The carpeting used is a 1000 glm'- (30 oz. per
square yard) cut pile residential carpet with a water permeable styrene
butadiene
rubber latex backing. Pour 20 ml of water, adjusted to room temperature (70 -
80°F, 21 - 27°C) onto the carpet sample through a cylinder of
about 4 cm diameter
S and from a height of about 6 cm to create a circular puddle. Remove the
cylinder
and let the sample stay undisturbed for 30 minutes. Remove any standing
surface
water, then remove the carpet, remove the underlay, and measure the diameter
of
any water spot on the towel. The sample will be termed as resistant to water,
or a
"pass", only if none or a very slight amount of water has passed through the
10 underlay sample. A wet spot diameter of one inch (2.54 cm) or less is
required for
the underlay to be resistant to water.
Test Method 4. Water Impermeability Without Carpet
The term "secured" as used in Test Methods 3 and 4 is defined above and
15 is used to describe the attachment of the underlay by means of staples,
nails, or
other mechanical means of attachment specifically excluding the use of
adhesive
or adhesive tape.
This method simulates the impermeability of an underlay at the point
where it is secured to the underneath flooring for a large water spill on the
carpet,
2 0 i.e., where most of the water spill penetrates the carpet pile and latex
and puddles
on the underlay, especially at the location of the securement.
On a 12 x 12 in. (30.5 x 30.5 cm) sample of wood or particle board of
approximate thickness 1/2 - 1 in. (1.3 - 2.5 cm), place a 12 x 12 in. {30.5 x
30.5
cm) sample of foam padding. Over the padding, place a sheet of white absorbent
2 5 paper towel. Over the paper towel, place the underlay sample and secure
through
the underlay, the paper towel, and the foam padding into the wood. Pour 20 ml
of
water, adjusted to room temperature (70 - 80°F, 21 - 27°C) onto
the underlay
through a cylinder of about 4 cm diameter and from a height of about 6 cm to
create a circular puddle over the securement. Remove the cylinder and let the
3 0 sample stay undisturbed for i 0 minutes. Remove any standing surface
water, then
remove the underlay, and measure the diameter of any water spot on the towel.
The sample will be termed as impermeable to water, or a "pass", only if none
or a
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very slight amount of water has passed through the underlay sample. A wet spot
diameter of one inch (2.54 cm) or less is required for the underlay to be
impermeable to water.
Test Method 4 is more stringent than Test Method 3 since, in Test Method 3,
the
5 tendency for water to penetrate is reduced as it is at least partially
absorbed by the
carpet.
MATERIALS AND APPLICATION METHODS
The following materials obtained from the sources listed and the following
10 application methods were used in the examples.
Staples:
1 ) Arrow Fasteners (Saddlebrook NJ),
2) Hunt Manufacturing Co. (Statesville NC).
15 Underlay Fabrics listed in Table 3:
1) "SONTARA" fabrics from E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company,
Wilmington, DE
2) "TYVEK" (a low denier thermally embossed flash spun polyethylene
fabric) from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington DE
20 3) SMS (spunbondlmeltblown/spunbond fabrics) are commercially
manufactured by Kimberly-Clark Corporation (Neenah, WI) and BBA
Nonwovens (Simpsonville, SC)
4) Syn Ind RB400 and RB406 from Synthetic Industries (Ringgold GA),
S) Other sources are Chicopee (New Brunswick NJ), Johnson & Johnson
2 5 (New Brunswick NJ), PGI Nonwovens (Dayton NJ), resin bonded wet
laid nonwoven fabric available from The Dexter Corporation
(Windsor Locks, CT).
6) Other nonwoven examples include products which include needle
punched, chemically bonded carded webbed and thermally bonded
3 0 carded webbed fabrics.
Films:
1 ) Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from Carlisle Plastics (Minneapolis,
MN).
35
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Paddine Materials listed in Table 8:
1 ) General Felt Industries (GFI, Linwood PA),
2) The Carpenter Co (R.ichmond VA).
5 In the application of water repellent finishes (WRF) to underlay fabrics,
the optimum process depends on the particulars of the fabric and the WRF with
regard to the choice of solvent, wet pick up, amount of WRF applied, drying
and
curing temperature. The following procedures represent the two methods used in
these examples for application of fluorochemical and/or wax repellents to the
10 fabrics to produce the impermeable carpet underlays. Immersion application
of a
water repellent finish is generally preferred over spray application because
the
immersion process gives a more uniform application of the hydrophobic coating
and thus a higher level of water repellency (Test Method 1 ) and a higher
level of
resistance to hydrostatic water pressure (Test Method 2).
15 In the first application process, the fabric was saturated with a 1:1
mixture
of water and repellent solution by immersing the fabric in the mixture and the
liquid content was reduced by squeezing to approximately 200% by weight of the
fabric. The treated fabric was dried at approximately 80°C
(180°F) for 10 min.
and cured at approximately 150°C (300°F) for 3 min.
2 0 In the second application process, the fabric was sprayed uniformly, using
conventional spray methods, with approximately 200% by weight of the fabric of
a 1:1 mixture of water and repellent solution. The treated fabric was dried as
in
the immersion process above.
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Table 3. Description of Underlay Fabrics (LJnfinishedl.
Fabric
Fabric Description weight commercial
5 No. fSee also Materials Sections~2~ name
FAB-1 Spunlaced nonwoven PET 71 "SONTARA" 8830
and wood pulp fibers
FAB-2 Spunlaced nonwoven PET 70 "SONTARA" 8827
and wood pulp fibers
10 FAB-3 Spunlaced nonwoven PET 122 "SONTARA" 8805
and wood pulp fibers
FAB-4 Spunlaced nonwoven PET 1 O8 "SONTARA" 8007
fibers
FAB-5 Spunlaced nonwoven PET 135 "SONTARA" 8100
fibers
FAB-6 PET needlepunched nonwoven130 Syn Ind RB400
15 FAB-7 PET needlepunched nonwoven150 Syn Ind RB406
FAB-8 Woven 65/35 PET/cotton 100 Retail*
blend
FAB-9 Knitted acrylic 180 Retail*
FAB-10 Knitted PET 100 Retail*
FAB-11 Knitted acetate 110 Retail*
2 o FAB-12 Knitted 85/15 Lycra-Spandex160 Retail*
FAB-13 Woven wool 260 Retail*
FAB-14 Woven nylon 100 Retail*
FAB-15 Woven cotton 140 Retail*
FAB-16 Nonwoven PET spunbond 75 Experimental
2 5 sample
FAB-17 SMS thermally bonded laminate52 Kimberly-Clark
FAB-18 Flash spun polyethylene "TYVEK"
nonwoven 42
FAB-19 Unbleached paper 60 --
3 0 * Purchased at a retail store.
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Table 4. List of Water Reaellent Finishes (WRF) Used on Underlay Fabrics
far Examples 20 - 86
Finish Repellent Description
WRF-1 A fluoroalkyl urethane as disclosed in US 4,595,518.
5 WRF-2 A blend of wax, a diethylaminoethyl meth,acrylate/hexadecyl
methacrylate/octadecyl methacrylate copolymer and a fluoroalkyl
methacrylate copolymer of the type disclosed in US 4,595,518.
WRF-3 Aqueous dispersion of a hydrocarbon wax.
WRF-4 Blend of fluoroalkyl citrate-urethane and polymethylmethacrylate
l0 as disclosed in US 3,923,715.
WRF-5 Polyfluoro organic compound prepared by reacting a
polyisocyanate with a fluoroalcohol and water as disclosed in
EP-A-453641.
WRF-6 A fluoroalkyl polyacrylate as disclosed in US 4,742,140.
15 WRF-7 A fluoroalkyl polymethacrylate as disclosed in US 5,344,903.
WRF-8 Perfluoroalkyl methacrylate polymer of the type disclosed in
U.S. 5,674,961.
EXAMPLES
2 0 Comparative Examples A - S (No Repellent Finish
A number of fabrics that were not finished with any water repellent or
hydrophobic finish were tested for water repellency (Test Method 1 ) and water
resistance to hydrostatic pressure (Test Method 2). As expected, none of the
fabrics demonstrated any measurable repellency or resistance to water. These
2 5 fabrics were then tested for impermeability to water as a carpet underlay
between
foam padding and broadloom carpeting. For each fabric tested according to Test
Methods 3 and 4, 1/2 (1.3 cm) thick GFI polyurethane foam padding (460 g/m2)
was used. For Test Methods 3 and 4, the fabrics were secured through the foam
padding to the underneath particle board with a 1 /2 ( 1.3 cm) staple using a
3 0 standard staple gun. As expected, Table 5 shows that none of the
unfinished
fabrics FAB-1 - FAB-19 provided any water impermeability to larger water
spills
(Test Method 4 - without carpet). Only comparative Examples Q and R, film-like
nonwoven fabrics, provided any water resistance to small water spills (Test
Method 3 - with carpet).
35
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Table 5. Test Results for Comparative Examples A - S
(Unfinished Underlay Fabrics)
Test
Method
5 Comp _ __________________
Underla
. y _ _-________-_____,
Ex. Fabric I 2 3 4
#
A FAB-1 0 0 Fail Fail
B FAB-2 0 0 Fail Fail
C FAB-3 0 0 Fail Faii
10 D FAB-4 0 0 Fail Fail
E FAB-5 0 0 Fail Fail
F FAB-6 0 0 Fail Fail
G FAB-7. 0 0 Fail Fail
H FAB-8 0 0 Fail Fail
15 I FAB-9 0 0 Fail Fail
J FAB-10 0 0 Fail Fail
K FAB-lI 0 0 Fail Fail
L FAB-12 0 0 Fail Fail
M FAB-I3 0 0 Fail Fail
2 o N FAB-14 0 0 Fail Fail
O FAB-I 0 0 Fail Fail
S
P FAB-16 0 0 Fail Fail
Q FAB-I7 NA NA Pass Fail
R FAB-18 NA NA Pass Fail
25 S FAB-19 0 0 Fail Fail
Examples 1 - I9
A series of polyester films of varying thicknesses were tested for water
resistance (Test Method 3) and water impermeability (Test Method 4) as carpet
3 0 underlays. For each film tested according to Test Methods 3 and 4, 1 /2 (
1.3 cm)
thick GFI polyurethane foam padding (460 g/mz) was used. For Test Methods 3
and 4, the fabrics were secured through the foam padding to the underneath
particle board with either ( I ) I/2 ( 1.3 cm) staple using a standard staple
gun or (2)
various sized nails using a standard hammer. As shown in Table 6 for some
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examples washers around the head of the nail were used or tape over either the
staples or the nail head was used. Impermeable films do not require any water
repellent finish. Table 6 shows that an impermeable film, e.g., those made
from a
polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), can be used as water
resistant
5 or water impermeable carpet underlay if it is secured to the flooring in a
way that
does not compromise the water resistant or water impermeable barrier.
Table 6.
Carnet
Film Underlavs
of Impermeable
Film
Securement
codes
are
listed
in
Table
2.
1 No
o water
repellent
finish
is
used
on
impermeable
films.
Securement Test
Method
PET film Staple
Ex thickness length
#_ mils m in. cm Nail Washer Tane 3 4
1 0.36 (9) '/Z (1.3)- - - Pass Fail
2 0.74 (19) '/z (1.3)- - - Pass Fail
3 1 (25) '/z (1.3)- - - Pass Fail
15 4 2 (51) %z (1.3)- - - Pass Fail
5 4 (102) %z (1.3)- - - Pass Fail
6 6 (152) %z (1.3)- - - Pass Fail
7 4 (102) %s (1.3)- - T1 Pass Pass
8 4 (102) '/2 (1.3)- - T2 Pass Pass
20 9 4 (102) '/Z (1.3)- - T3 Pass Pass
10 4 ( 102) - N 1 - - Pass Pass
11 4 ( 102) - N2 - - Pass Pass
12 4 (102) - N3 - - Pass Pass
13 4 ( 102) - N 1 W 1 - Pass Pass
25 14 4 (102) - Nl W2 - Pass Pass
1 4 ( 102) - N 1 W3 - Pass Pass
S
16 4 (102) - N1 W4 - Pass Pass
17 4 (102) - N1 WS - Pass Pass
18 4 (102) - N1 W6 - Pass Pass
3 19 4 { 102) - N 1 W7 - Pass Pass
0
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The illustrative examples in Table 6 support the following conclusions.
Examples 1 - 6 showed that the installation of impermeable films having a
thickness of 0.36 to 6 mils (9 to 152 micrometers) gave only water resistance
to
water spills when installed using staples. Examples 7 - 9 showed that the
5 installation of impermeable films gave water resistance and impermeability
to
water spills when installed using staples if the staple holes were sealed with
tape.
Examples 10 - 12 showed that the installation of impermeable films gave water
resistance and impermeability to water spills when installed using nails only.
Examples 13 - 19 showed that the installation of impermeable films gave water
1 o resistance and impermeability to water spills when installed using nails
with
washers under the head of the nails to seal the nail hole. When comparing
examples 1 - 6 with examples 10 - 19, installation of impermeable films using
nails provided better water impermeabiiity to water spills than when
installing
impermeable films using staples.
15
Examples 20 - 73
A series of underlay fabrics, treated with various water repellent finishes
were tested for water resistance (Test Method 3) and water impermeability
(Test
Method 4) as carpet underlays.
2 o Table 7 shows the results of various combinations of water repellent
finish
(WRF), fabrics, and the methods for securing an underlay to the underneath
flooring through the padding using either stapling or nailing. The resulting
installed carpet underlays demonstrated (1) water repellency, (2) water
resistance
to hydrostatic pressure, (3) water resistance to water spills, and optionally
(4)
25 impermeability to water spills, as shown by Test Methods 1, 2, 3, and
optionally
Test Method 4, respectively. For all the items described in Table 7 and tested
according to Test Methods 3 and 4, 1 /2 ( 1.3 cm) thick GFI polyurethane foam
padding (460 g/m2) was used. For Test.Methods 3 and 4, the fabrics were
secured
through the foam padding to the underneath particle board with either ( 1 )
various
3 0 sized staples using a standard staple gun with optional tape over the
staple or (2)
various sized nails using a standard hammer with optional (a) washers around
the
head ofthe nail or (b) tape over the nail head to seal the nail hole in the
film.
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Table 7. Water Resistance and Impermeabilitv of Various Underlay
Fabrics in Various Installations.
Underlay fabrics are listed in Table 3
5 Water repellent finishes (WRF) are listed in Table 4.
Securement codes are listed in Table 2.
Securement Test
Method
Under- Staple
Ex. lay WRF WRF Size 1 Z 3 4
# Fabric# Processin. (cm)ail asher ape
20 FAB-1 7 imm* 1/2 (1.3)- - - 4 22 Pass Pass
21 FAB-2 7 imm 1/2 (1.3)- - - 8 26 Pass Pass
22 FAB-3 7 imm 1/2 (1.3)- - - 10 20 Pass Pass
23 FAB-4 7 imm 1 /2 - - - 8 13 Pass Pass
( 1.3
)
24 FAB-5 7 imm I/2 (1.3)- - - 8 I Pass Pass
I
25 FAB-I 7 imm I/4 (0.6)- - - 4 22 Pass Pass
26 FAB-2 7 imm 3/8 ( - - 8 26 Pass Pass
1.0)
27 FAB-2 7 imm 5/8 ( - _ - g 26 Pass Pass
1.6)
28 FAB-2 7 imm 3/4 ( - - - 8 26 Pass Pass
1.9)
29 FAB-1 7 imm 15/16 - - - 4 22 Pass Pass
(2.4)
30 FAB-1 1 imm 1/2 (1.3)- - - 4 5 Pass Fail
31 FAB-1 2 imm 1/2 (1.3)- - - 8 5 Pass Fail
32 FAB-1 3 imm 1/2 (1.3)- - - 5 10 Pass Pass
33 FAB-1 4 imm 1l2 (1.3)- - - 5 3 Pass Fail
34 FAB-I 5 imm 1/2 (1.3)- - - 6 <2 Pass Fail
35 FAB-1 1 spray 1/2 (1.3)- - - 4 <2 Pass Fail
36 FAB-1 2 spray 1/2 (1.3)- - - 6 <2 Pass Fail
37 FAB-I 3 spray 1/2 (1.3)- - - 4 <2 Pass Fail
38 FAB-1 4 spray 1/2 (1.3)- - - 5 <2 Pass Fail
39 FAB-1 5 spray 1/2 (1.3)- - - 5 <2 Pass Fail
40 FAB-6 1 imm 112 (1.3)- - - 6 <2 Pass Fail
41 FAB-7 1 imm 1/2 (1.3)- - - 6 <2 Pass Fail
42 FAB-8 1 imm 1/2 (1.3)- - - 4 <2 Pass Fail
43 FAB-9 1 imm 1/2 (1.3)- - - 5 <2 Pass Fail
44 FAB-101 imrn 1/2 (1.3)- - - 4 <2 Pass Fail
45 FAB-1I1 imm 1/2(1.3)- - - 3 <2 Pass Fail
46 FAB-121 imm I/2 (1.3)- - - 5 <2 Pass Fail
47 FAB-131 imm 1/2 (1.3)- - - 6 <2 Pass Fail
48 FAB-14l imm I/2 (1.3)- - - 4 <2 Pass Fail
49 FAB-15I imm I/2 (1.3)- - - 6 5 Pass Pass
50 FAB-166 imm 1/2 (1.3)- - - 6 30 Pass Pass
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Securement Test
Method
Under- Staple
Ex. lay WRF WRF Size 1 Z 3 4
# Fabric# Processin. (cm)ail asher ape
51 FAB-176 imm 112 (1.3)- - - 6 20 PassFail
52 FAB-186 imm 1/2 (1.3)- - - 3 24 PassFail
53 FAB-2 7 imm - N4 - 8 26 PassPass
S4 FAB-2 7 imm - NS - - 8 26 PassPass
55 FAB-2 7 imm - N6 - - 8 26 PassPass
56 FAB-1 2 imm - N3 - - 8 5 PassPass
57 FAB-1 2 imm - N1 - - 8 5 PassPass
58 FAB-I 1 imm - N3 - - 4 5 PassPass
S9 FAB-1 1 imm - N1 - - 4 5 PassPass
60 FAB-176 imm - N3 - - 6 20 PassPass
61 FAB-176 imm - N - - 6 20 PassPass
1
62 FAB-186 imm - N3 - - 3 24 PassPass
63 FAB-186 imm - N1 - - 3 24 PassPass
64 FAB-1 4 imm - N W 1 - 5 3 PassPass
1
65 FAB-I 5 imm - NI W4 - 6 <2 PassPass
66 FAB-1 2 imm - NI W7 - 8 5 PassPass
b7 FAB-1 S imm 1/2 (1.3)- - TI 6 <2 PassPass
68 FAB-I 2 imm 1/2 (1.3)- - TI 8 S PassPass
69 FAB-I 4 imm 1/2 (1.3)- - T2 S 3 PassPass
70 FAB-198 imm I/2 (1.3)- - - 5 30 PassFail
71 FAB-198 imm - N1 - - 5 30 PassPass
72 FAB-198 imm 1/2 (1.3)- - TI S 30 PassPass
73 FAB-198 imm 1/2 (I.3)- - T3 5 30 PassPass
* imm: immersion application process.
The illustrative examples in Table 7 support the following conclusions.
Examples 20 - 73 showed that many fabrics treated with different water
5 repellent finishes gave resistance to water spills when installed as carpet
underlays
using either staples or nails. Examples 53 - 63 showed that many different
kinds
of nails can be used to install fabrics treated with water repellent finishes
as carpet
underlays in a way that provided both water resistance and water
impermeability
to spills. Examples 20 - 21 and 25 - 29 showed that many different sizes of
10 staples can be used to install fabrics treated with water repellent
finishes as carpet
underlays to provide both water resistance and water impermeability to spills.
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Comparing examples 30 - 31 with examples 56 - 59 and comparing examples 51 -
52 with examples 60 - 63 showed that installation of water repellent finished
fabrics using nails provided better water impermeability than when installing
water repellent finished fabrics using staples. Examples 20, 32, 49, 50, 56,
and 64
5 - 69 showed that fabrics treated with different kinds of water repellent
finishes
(i.e., fluorochemicals and/or waxes) gave both water resistance and water
impermeability to spills when installed as a carpet underlay in accordance
with the
process of the present invention.. Comparing examples 64 - 66 to examples 31,
33, and 34 showed that, when nails were used to install water repellent
finished
10 fabrics as carpet underlays, the use of various washers to seal the nail
holes
preserved water impermeability. Comparing examples 67 - 69 to examples 31,
33, and 34 showed that, when staples were used to install water repellent
finished
fabrics as carpet underlays, the use of various tapes to seal the staple holes
restored water impenmeability. Examples 71 - 73 showed that the installation
of
15 cellulosic fabrics treated with a water repellent finish gave water
resistance and
water impermeability when installed using either nails or staples if the
staple holes
were sealed with tape. Example 70 showed that the installation of cellulosic
fabric treated with a water repellent finish gave only water resistance when
installed using staples without the staple holes sealed with tape.
20
Examples 74 - 86
Underlay fabrics, treated with various water repellent finishes, were
secured over various padding materials and tested for water resistance (Test
Method 3) and water impenmeability (Test Method 4) as carpet underlays.
2 5 Table 8 shows the effectiveness of the water impenneability of carpet
underlays when installed over various kinds of carpet padding. Spunlaced
nonwovens made from PET and wood pulp fibers (the fabrics used in
Comparative Examples A or B) were treated with a fluorochemical water
repellent
finish (WRF-7) by immersion application, installed over a series of carpet
3 0 paddings, and tested for water resistance (Test Method 3) and water
impermeability (Test Method 4). For Test Method 3 and 4, the fabrics were
secured through the foam padding to the underneath particle board with various
- 25 -

CA 02345993 2001-03-29
WO 00/28865 " PCTNS99/26668
staples using a standard staple gun. Padding made from polyurethane foam,
Rebond (chopped foam), Styrofoam, synthetic fibers, and sponge rubber all
worked effectively under a water impermeable carpet underlay installed using
the
process of the present invention. Padding thicknesses from 1/16 in. (0.16 cm)
to 4
5 in. ( 10.2 cm) and from 140 to 4080 g/m2 all worked effectively under a
water
impermeable carpet underlay installed using the process of the present
invention.
Table 8. Water Resistance and Impermeabilitv of
Carnet Paddings in Various Installations
l0
Under- Staple Test
Method
Ex. lay WRF Size Padding Thickness [in. --------------__--
(cm)]/
# Fabric# in.* aterial/Density 1 3 4
M 2
Underlay in Table 3
fabrics
are
listed
15 Water shes
repellent (WRF)
fini are
listed
in
Table
4.
74 FAB-1 7 1/2 1/16 (0.16)/polyurethane/140g/mz4 PassPass
22
75 FAB-1 7 1/2 1/8 (0.3)/polyurethane/300g/m24 PassPass
22
76 FA.B-17 1/2 1/2 (1.3)/polyurethane/160g/m24 PassPass
22
77 FAB-1 7 1/2 1 (2.5)/polyurethane/420g/mZ4 PassPass
22
2o 78 FAB-1 7 1/2 4 (10.2)/polyurethane/1160g/m24 PassPass
22
79 FAB-2 7 1/2 7/16 (1.1)/chopped foam/1040g/m'-8 PassPass
26
80 FAB-2 7 1/2 7/16 (1.1)/chopped foam/1560g/mz8 PassPass
26
81 FAB-2 7 1/2 3/4 (1.9)/STYROFOAM/670g/m28 PassPass
26
82 FAB-1 7 3/8 1/16 (0.16)/polyurethane/140g/mz4 PassPass
22
25 83 FAB-1 7 3/8 1 (2.5)/polyurethane/420g/mz4 PassPass
22
84 F.AB-17 1/2 3/8 (1.0)/synthetic
fiber cushion/
970 g/m2 4 PassPass
22
85 FAB-1 7 1/2 3/8 (1.0)/sponge rubber
padding/
2600 g/mz 4 PassPass
22
30 86 FAB-1 7 1/2 1/2 (1.3)/sponge rubber
cushion/
4080 g/m2 4 PassPass
22
* For metric equivalents for staple lengths, See Table 6.
-26-

Representative Drawing

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Administrative Status

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Event History

Description Date
Time Limit for Reversal Expired 2007-11-13
Letter Sent 2006-11-14
Grant by Issuance 2006-07-04
Inactive: Cover page published 2006-07-03
Inactive: Final fee received 2006-04-07
Pre-grant 2006-04-07
Letter Sent 2006-02-07
Notice of Allowance is Issued 2006-02-07
Notice of Allowance is Issued 2006-02-07
Inactive: Approved for allowance (AFA) 2006-01-04
Inactive: Office letter 2005-11-21
Change of Address Requirements Determined Compliant 2005-11-21
Change of Address or Method of Correspondence Request Received 2005-10-27
Amendment Received - Voluntary Amendment 2005-02-08
Letter Sent 2005-02-02
Letter Sent 2005-02-02
Letter Sent 2004-09-13
Letter Sent 2004-09-13
Letter Sent 2004-03-10
Request for Examination Received 2003-12-17
Request for Examination Requirements Determined Compliant 2003-12-17
All Requirements for Examination Determined Compliant 2003-12-17
Letter Sent 2001-09-21
Inactive: Single transfer 2001-08-08
Inactive: Cover page published 2001-06-20
Inactive: First IPC assigned 2001-06-14
Inactive: Courtesy letter - Evidence 2001-06-12
Inactive: Notice - National entry - No RFE 2001-06-07
Application Received - PCT 2001-06-04
Application Published (Open to Public Inspection) 2000-05-25

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Maintenance Fee

The last payment was received on 2005-09-30

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  • the reinstatement fee;
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Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
INVISTA TECHNOLOGIES S.A.R.L.
Past Owners on Record
ANNE DOWDELL CATHEY
JOYCE MONSON MATERNIAK
MISTY DAWN DITTMAN
PETER MICHAEL MURPHY
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Description 2001-03-28 26 1,298
Abstract 2001-03-28 1 40
Claims 2001-03-28 2 91
Notice of National Entry 2001-06-06 1 194
Courtesy - Certificate of registration (related document(s)) 2001-09-20 1 137
Acknowledgement of Request for Examination 2004-03-09 1 176
Commissioner's Notice - Application Found Allowable 2006-02-06 1 162
Maintenance Fee Notice 2007-01-01 1 171
Correspondence 2001-06-06 1 24
PCT 2001-03-28 8 281
PCT 2001-04-05 1 54
Correspondence 2004-04-29 46 2,876
Correspondence 2004-06-15 1 22
Correspondence 2004-07-07 8 573
Correspondence 2004-07-13 1 28
Correspondence 2005-02-08 1 48
Correspondence 2005-10-26 9 490
Correspondence 2005-11-20 1 13
Correspondence 2006-04-06 1 31